JetBlue For Good Month: Highlighting Our Crewmembers Who Make a Difference

JetBlue For Good Month: Highlighting Our Crewmembers Who Make a Difference

Throughout November, JetBlue is continuing its mission of inspiring humanity with JetBlue For Good Month, a celebration of kindness and good deeds. Throughout the month, we’ll be sharing stories from our crewmembers and community partners who have gone above and beyond to make a difference in their communities.

Crewmember: Becky Roman-Amador

Role: Captain, A320 Aircraft

Years at JetBlue: Almost 8 years

What inspired you to get involved in giving back to your community?

Giving back to the community is not just something I do – it’s my life! A lot of the organizations I work with have a mission to inspire women to pursue aviation. My dad was an aircraft mechanic, so I was exposed to the aviation industry at a young age. I knew I wanted to become a pilot when I was only three or four years old! I would go to the airport with my dad, and we would watch planes taking off and landing for hours. We played a game where I would close my eyes, and based on the sound of the engine, I would guess what kind of aircraft was in the sky above me. How could you not get excited about a big airplane as a kid? I know now that being a pilot is not a traditional career path for most women, so I do everything I can to show women and young girls that pursuing a non-traditional career is possible for them. If I could live out my dream, so can they. When I wear my uniform, I wear it as proudly as I can – because when young girls see someone who looks like them, they believe.

What organizations are you involved with now?

Two of the organizations I am involved with are the Ninety-Nines, an organization for women pilots, and Women in Aviation. I also work with the USO, the United Service Organizations for the US Armed Forces and their families. I am retired from the military, and I feel that it’s my responsibility to give back to these organizations that I benefited from; they are near and dear to me and I think it’s so important to pay it forward. I also teach at my church, and I volunteer for OBAP (Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals) – I travel to their ACE Camps and work as either an instructor or a presenter. I’ve also gotten involved with the JetBlue Foundation and the Fly Like A Girl event. I love giving back to the community. I don’t do it for any other reason than because it feels good and it’s just the right thing to do!

What are some of the moments that stand out to you from your experiences volunteering?

When I was in the military, the USO was really helpful for me and felt like home wherever I was in the world. Through my involvement with the USO, I interact with young people who are only 18 or 19 years old, and are nervous about their first deployments. Because I’ve been through similar experiences, I am able to talk to them about what to expect, and can kind of be a mother figure for them. The relationships I have built through all of the things I do are invaluable, and I can’t really describe it with words.

I have kept in touch with many of the students I have worked with through the Ninety-Nines and Women in Aviation. When they call me up with tears in their eyes to tell me that they have gotten a scholarship and are able to start their own careers, I feel so grateful that others are living the dream that I have been fortunate enough to live. I feel that I’ve given them the wings to fly, and that feels good!

What advice do you have for people who want to get involved with their communities, but don’t know where to start?

Lead with passion first! Reach out to different organizations and clubs that interest you. All of the things I’m involved in are things I’m already really truly passionate about. Go to your local clubs and community events. There are a lot of resources out there to help you find ways to give back.